Seasonal conditions, regional differences, and when to find the best rates.
Thailand's weather varies significantly between regions and seasons. Understanding when to visit can make the difference between perfect fairways and waterlogged rough. Here's the definitive seasonal guide.
| Season | Months | Conditions | Green fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak / dry season | Nov–Apr | Excellent — cool and dry | High season rates |
| Shoulder season | Oct, May | Good — occasional showers | Mid-season rates |
| Wet season | Jun–Sep | Challenging — afternoon rain likely | Low season rates (save 20–40%) |
The dry season (November–April) is ideal. April is the hottest month — early tee times are essential. The wet season (May–October) brings afternoon storms, but mornings are often playable. Many golfers take advantage of low-season green fee rates by playing early.
Phuket's dry season runs November–April, with December–February being the peak. The Andaman Sea coast gets the brunt of the southwest monsoon from May–October, making the wet season here more intense than in Bangkok. Some courses close for maintenance in August/September. October and November are shoulder months with improving conditions and lower prices.
Pattaya receives less rainfall than Phuket and has a shorter wet season. December–April is peak season. The wet months (May–October) still offer playable morning rounds — Pattaya's courses drain well. A popular choice for budget golfers: play in June–July for low-season rates with morning tee times.
Chiang Mai has the most distinct cool season of any Thai golf destination. November–February offers ideal temperatures (20–25°C in the mornings) and minimal rain. The hot season (March–May) is manageable for morning golf. The wet season is shorter than the south. Avoid March–April for air quality — agricultural burning can cause haze.
Hua Hin sits on the Gulf of Thailand side and has a more moderate wet season than Phuket. Year-round golf is possible. December–April is peak. The wet season months of September–November see some rain but courses remain largely playable.
Low season value: Green fee savings of 20–40% are common in the low season. For budget-conscious golfers, playing in June–July or September–October (avoiding Phuket) can deliver exceptional value.
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Almost every Thailand guide tells you the low season runs May to September. For weather that is broadly right — but if you are flying from Europe it is misleading, because July is one of the most expensive months of the year. That is driven by school holidays at home, not by anything happening in Thailand. On median fares over the past twelve months, July is the single dearest month to fly from Manchester, and among the top two from London, Stockholm and Copenhagen.
| From | Cheapest months | Most expensive |
|---|---|---|
| London | September (~£515–590) | December (~£790–920), July |
| Manchester | June (~£617) | July (~£919), December |
| Sydney | October (~A$946) | December (~A$1,554) |
| Stockholm | May (~7,300 kr) | December, July |
| Seoul | September (~₩227,000) | June and July (~₩450–490,000) |
| Tokyo Narita | September (~¥56,000) | April (Golden Week), December |
November is the quiet winner. It is not a price peak from any major origin, yet Thai golf conditions are already excellent. The genuine fare peak is mid-December to mid-January, plus Easter — narrower than the "November to February" rule of thumb suggests.
Figures are median return economy fares over the past twelve months and indicate seasonal shape rather than a quote.
This is the most important seasonal warning in Thai golf, and most golf marketing leaves it out. Northern Thailand has an agricultural burning season, and its effect on air quality is severe rather than merely unpleasant.
Chiang Mai province banned open burning from 1 February to 31 May 2026, but through March 2026 the city repeatedly ranked among the most polluted in the world — on 30 March, IQAir recorded an AQI of 233, classed "Very Unhealthy", with PM2.5 at 188 µg/m³. More than 2,000 fire hotspots were logged across the north in the first three months of the year, and NASA's Earth Observatory documented the smoke blanketing the region. Roughly 70% of Chiang Mai's April particulate pollution comes from biomass burning.
What this means for your trip: Chiang Mai golf is genuinely excellent from November to February — cool mornings, 15–22°C, minimal rain. In March and April, go south instead. Hua Hin and Pattaya are unaffected, and both play well through those months.
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December and January offer the best overall conditions across most of Thailand — cool temperatures, low humidity, and minimal rainfall. The Christmas/New Year period is the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
Yes — while the wet season (May–October) brings afternoon showers, morning rounds are typically playable. Tee times before 9am usually avoid the rain. Low season green fees represent significant savings.
April is the hottest month across most of Thailand. It's still playable, but early tee times (before 8am) are essential, and staying hydrated is critical. Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai) is more manageable in the shoulder season than Bangkok or Phuket.
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